A/N: Some people are wondering how Draco can possibly be higher up than Hermione. I know it might not make sense after the war, but in my mind Hermione didn't want to rise too fast because of Ron, and she also didn't want to work for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"That looks wonderful Molly, you really shouldn't have," beamed Hermione. She watched the older witch put finishing touches on a gleaming sign that hung suspended in the air above the large table that stretched across the garden of the Burrow. In bright red letters it read 'Congratulations Hermione' and every once in a while cried out things like well done, and way to go!

Mrs. Weasley shook her head and smiled. "Don't be silly dear! This is a celebration. I couldn't be more proud, after all the work that you have done you deserve it. Oh Ron's just going to be thrilled!" she continued, now waving her wand in quick motions and setting the table.

Hermione frowned and turned away, walking inside. "I'm just going to check on the food," she called over her shoulder.

She didn't know why she was so nervous. She knew that Ron would have to be happy for her, but no matter how much he had matured since the war she still sensed his jealousy towards her and Harry. This morning had just proved her suspicions that he was bitter. Not to mention the fact that she would now be working in Draco's department. While Harry had learned to be civil towards Draco, and even saw some changes in his character, Ron, who rarely came to the Ministry, refused to even consider the possibility that Draco wasn't completely evil.

Hermione remembered a conversation she had had with Ron months ago, where she had tried to convince him that Draco was merely a product of his environment, and that he was trying to save his family. Needless to say, Ron didn't speak to her for days after. In the end, they agreed that it would be best to simply not discuss the blonde wizard.

After checking on the food, Hermione decided to curl up with a book while Molly went to get Teddy. It was not long before she heard the kitchen door open and close.

"Mum, are you home?"

George was here, which meant that-

"Hermione? Where are you?" demanded Ron.

Hermione marked the page where she had stopped reading and set down the heavy book. She walked to the kitchen to find Ron and George both sniffing the pots of food. "I'm right here," she smiled, and gave Ron a small kiss on the cheek, before hugging George.

"Mum sent an owl, she said that you have news," said Ron.

George looked mildly uncomfortable. While before the war he would of found the situation quite amusing, he had toned down his humor since Fred's death. "I'm going to check out the garden," he mumbled before walking out of the room to give them space.

Hermione took this opportunity to pull Ron towards her. She pressed her lips against his and ran her hands down his long arms. Breaking away she looked up into his eyes, and counted the small freckles on his face. "I sort of got a promotion this morning," she blurted out. "I mean I did. Kingsley wants for me to join the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," she finished.

Ron shook his head as though he was having trouble understanding what she was saying. "You said yes? What happened to the girl who said that she would never-"

"Oh Ron that was ages ago!" interrupted Hermione. "The Ministry is changing now, and I really think that I could do some useful things in this new position."

Ron took a few steps away from her, and started walking around the kitchen. "So it's decided then? You didn't even think of talking to me? Hang on...Malfoy is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," he stopped short and glared at her.

Hermione nodded solemnly, unsure of what to say next. "I'm sorry I didn't ask you, but I can make my own decisions Ronald. As for Draco, well why does it matter that I have to work with him? It's not like you have to be in his company. This changes nothing," she stated.

"This changes everything!" yelled Ron, his voice now echoing through the kitchen. "Hermione you know how I feel about him! He is a fucking prick, have you forgotten about him calling you a Mudblood for years? Have you forgotten how he allowed you to be tortured while he stood by and did nothing?"

Hermione's face dropped, and her eyes turned cold as she replied. "Thank you for that trip down memory lane. I am pretty sure that I have the intelligence to remember exactly what happened. Draco will be my coworker, my boss, not my friend. He was a school bully, it's time to move on. I thought that you would be happy for me," she shook her head. "Clearly I was wrong."

Ron rolled his eyes. "I am happy for you. I just thought that you would have better sense, that you would continue doing something important."

Hermione stood still, as though rooted to the floor. "Important?" she finally asked in almost a whisper. "Important?" she asked again, this time raising her voice. "This is important! I would never do something that didn't better the world! You have always tried to hold me back! Why don't you just admit that you're jealous?" she choked out.

"Jealous? Well that's news to me Hermione. If I hold you back so much, why don't you just have some fucking space without me!"

Before she could reply, Ron stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him. The house shook slightly and Hermione felt tears well up in her eyes. Had Ron just broken up with her? No of course not, said a small voice in her head. Ron's temper usually tended to get the best of him, he would just need time to calm down. He had after all stormed out on her before. She regretted losing control and throwing out the jealousy card, but yet she knew that what she had said was true. Ron was more than happy to support her as long as she didn't rise too high, too fast. She was bloody sick of it.

Hermione frowned and looked down at the bottle of wine standing in front of her. Picking it up, she poured herself a glass, and twirled her fingers around the rim. Reluctantly, she took a sip.

By the end of the night Hermione had not one, not two, but five glasses of wine. She walked around chatting with everyone, accepting words of encouragement and congratulations. Every once in a while she scanned the back yard for Ron, who was always sulking. Luckily, the Weasleys were too busy to notice the tension.

The little party was nearing its end when Hermione was abruptly pulled away by Ginny. The two witches walked in silence to Ginny's old room and sat across from each other on the small bed, just as they had done when they were little girls.

Ginny reached out and grabbed Hermione's hands. Hermione glanced down, her eyes instantly drawn to the fire red ruby that sparkled on Ginny's slender finger. Her and Harry had wasted no time after the war.

"Spill Hermione," said Ginny.

Hermione giggled. "Is it that obvious?"

Ginny shrugged. "Well seeing as I don't remember many occasions, or any actually, when I have seen you drunk, I would have to say yes."

Hermione gave a heavy sigh before telling Ginny everything that had happened in the past couple of hours. Occasionally, she stumbled over her words, her head feeling quite heavy. For a while, she thought that she was going to be sick, but the moment passed.

Ginny listened patiently, nodding. "Well...he is my brother, but we all know that he can be a real prat. This is your night Hermione, don't let him ruin it. Why don't you say goodbye to everyone and go get some sleep? Ron will come around, he loves you."

Hermione tried to protest but finally agreed when Ginny pointed out that her words were slurring together and that she had become difficult to understand. After a painfully awkward twenty minutes, where Hermione thanked everyone with the help of Ginny, she finally found herself in her own dark flat.

She walked to the kitchen, not bothering to turn on the lights. Instantly she felt alone. The whole night had been a disaster. Draining a cool glass of water, she looked around, her eyes having finally adjusted to the darkness. The thought of sleeping in her bed, without Ron, made her stomach clench. Impulsively, Hermione walked back over to the fireplace and picked up some floo powder.

"Ministry of Magic!" she murmured, trying to be as clear as possible.